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Urban Exploration: Exploring The Chapmans Factory

For over five years the old Chapman’s factory in Nairne was my urbex playground. There was something dark and sinister about the dark concrete passageways, the medieval-like meat racks and the smell of death and decay. A combination of the quiet country location, fortified entrances and alarmed building sections, coupled with rumours regarding the buildings ownership, ensured that the site remained untouched by all but the most intrepid of explorers. In an effort to protect the site for as long as possible, I deliberately kept the majority of my photographs of the site offline. Over time, I introduced others to the labyrinth of dark passageways and together we returned on numerous occasions.

Alas, the site finally appears earmarked for demolition with internal dismantling works already well advanced. This is the nature of abandoned photography. Such spaces are in their final days. Some linger longer than others but the inevitability is that everything dies. Saying goodbye to this one is akin to saying goodbye to an old friend. Chapman’s factory provided me with many great adventures and some great exploring stories. I shall miss the place.

Established by George Chapman in 1899, Chapman’s Bacon Factory became the lifeblood of the small Adelaide Hills township of Nairne, with gradual expansion of the factory providing an increasing number of jobs to local hills residents. At its peak, there were nearly 400 people employed at the Nairne site, with a further 70 employed both within South Australia and interstate. In 1982, Chapman’s Smallgoods merged with Southern Farmers Group in 1982 before being acquired by George Weston’s foods in 1987. However, aging infrastructure and internal company restructuring saw Chapman’s Smallgoods relocate from Nairne to Murray Bridge in 2002. Consequently, the Nairne site closed and the site fell into disrepair. Several attempts were made to adapt the space for other purposes. A weekend market operated from the site for some time, as well as an a boutique smallgoods manufacturer but otherwise the site has been inactive for several years and an area of concern for Nairne residents. Increasing copper theft and vandalism took their toll. Demolition work now appears well advanced with plans for a supermarket on the site awaiting final Council approval.

I’d love to hear from ex-Chapman’s employees or those who remember the factory in its heyday before another chapter of SA history is completely erased.

The offal tunnelThe curing roomPipesThe kill floorSlaughterhouse bluesGoods liftDripsOffice spaceMeat hooksKill floor sunrisePart of the kill floor. Hair would be burned from a pig carcass in this area before proceeding to the next stage of meat processing.Noughts and CrossesPipeworkThe SinkGoods OutwardEvacuationGoods lift and HR officeAscensionKill Floor OfficeStaff OnlyFollow the lightGaugesGaugesSmokehouse remnantsConveyorThe only part of the site with Local Heritage protectionEnd of days. After over ten years of abandonment, this graffiti appeared over a period of just two weeks.Mens Locker Room 1WashdownChillerSmokehouseWelcome to the boning roomMaking Smallgoods Training PayEngine roomThe smell of death

Hi. I passed the factory last weekend, April 2016, and thought I would like to take some internal pics. I have just recently decided to take pics of abandoned buildings. I was surprised to see you beat me to it. How do you get permission to get into these places and what equipment do use. I have just purchased a Canon 6D. Regards…..

I worked there for quite a few years started on what was called the ham n bacon floor upstairs… Then finished up in there digo section…it was a excellent place to work those kinds of jobs don’t exist anymore

Was a good place to work I spent many years there used to work making Virginia ham and things like that then worked in there waste section making blood and bone from left ova pigs and a machine called a blood decanter

Fantastic pictures and post!
My first job was at working atChapman’s office on Unley Road. I was just 15 years old and went for my interview in my Unley High uniform . I have such vivid memories of that time and continue to share them with my own employees.
Although I never got to see the factory, it is familiar and somewhat haunting to see the pictures. I would love to get high res copies if you would be willing to share!

Published by Autopsy of Adelaide

Adelaide, South Australia based Urban explorer and photographer. Exposing the hidden worlds behind the boarded up doors, below your feet and above your heads. Primarily focussed on Urban Exploration (Urbex) in Adelaide and South Australia, but travelling wherever the abandonment takes me!
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